Bill Gates has shared a rare glimpse into his personal life, reflecting on the end of his 27-year marriage to Melinda French Gates and how their divorce affected him. In a candid interview with The Times published on January 25, the 69-year-old billionaire and philanthropist opened up about the dissolution of his marriage, calling it "the mistake I most regret."
"You would have to put that at the top of the list," Bill admitted. "There are others, but none that matter. The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years."
The Microsoft co-founder and his ex-wife, who share three children—Jennifer Gates Nassar, 28, Rory Gates, 25, and Phoebe Gates, 22—announced their divorce in 2021 after nearly three decades together. Despite their separation, Bill acknowledged their union's profound impact on his life and career.
"There is a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person because of the memories and depth of things you have done and having kids together," he shared. "When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful—that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot."
Bill credits Melinda with playing a key role in keeping him grounded during the height of Microsoft's success. "You don't end up with a Microsoft result, being on top of the world, unless an unbelievable number of things converge," he explained. "The year I was born, the way my parents are, being a white male in the United States, having a grandmother shaping my competitive vibe, teachers who said, 'Your kid is weird but smart,' my marriage to Melinda that kept me grounded."
The pair's partnership extended beyond their personal lives into their shared charitable endeavors through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, Melinda's decision to resign as co-chair of the foundation in 2023 marked another significant transition for Bill. The organization has since been renamed the Gates Foundation.
"When we got divorced, it was tough and then she made the decision to leave the foundation," he said. "I was disappointed that she took the option to go off."
Despite these changes, Bill and Melinda maintain a connection through their family. "Melinda and I still see each other—we have three kids and two grandchildren so there are family events," he revealed. "The kids are doing well. They have good values."
In 2022, Bill Gates admitted he would do it all over again. The billionaire said he “wouldn’t choose” to marry anyone else but Melinda Gates if he could turn back time. “Every marriage as the kids leave the house will go through a transition. Mine sadly went through this transition called divorce,” he continued, “But from my point of view it was a great marriage. I wouldn’t have changed it. You know, I wouldn’t choose to marry someone else.”
As Bill navigates this new chapter in his life, he has found companionship with Paula Hurd, widow of late Oracle Corporation CEO Mark Hurd. The pair made their relationship public in 2023, two years after Bill finalized his divorce from Melinda.